Abstract: A reefing system comprising an annular flexible membrane having a centrally located vent opening and a plurality of guides symmetrically spaced around the periphery of the membrane. The reefing system retards or slows opening of the canopy of a parachute in order to reduce the shock normally encountered with parachutes.

Abstract: Curved last soles for athletic shoes are disclosed, including one embodiment wherein cleats are arranged with gripping edges in the arch and heel that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passing therethrough, whereas in the toe cleats are arranged with gripping edges that are aligned in rows that are perpendicular to a line generally defining the direction of travel while the athlete abducts his or her feet during the propulsion phase of running. Cleats in the ball portion of the sole fan out to provide a smooth transition from the cleats in the arch to the cleats in the toe.In a second embodiment the cleats are disposed throughout the sole in rows which maintain a perpendicular relationship relative to the longitudinal axis of the heel, but the orientation of the gripping edges of the cleats in the toe and ball portions are varied in such manner as to compensate for the aforementioned abducting effect.

Abstract: An outer sole (16) for use with an athletic shoe (10) is disclosed. The outer sole (16) is comprised of a base member (18) from which three layers of projections extend. The layers of projections include a first plurality of horizontal bars (24) whose width varies in accordance with the load exerted on the bottom of the sole during normal running; supplemental and intermediate bars (26, 28) extending downwardly from the first set of bars (24); and pairs of ridges (30) extending down from each intermediate bar (28) adjacent the lateral edges of the intermediate bars (28).

Abstract: A track shoe is described having a cushion member of resilient elastomer material secured to the bottom surface of its spike plate beneath the metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot. The cushion member is positioned behind and separate from the rearmost spikes on such spike plate. Such cushion member has an average width longitudinally of the shoe greater than its thickness. The cushion member absorbs shock, helps runners stay on their toes by preventing "rock-back" onto the heel of the shoe, and aids in foot stability during landing.

Abstract: An athletic shoe (10) having an upper (12) and a sole (14) is disclosed. The sole (14) includes an intermediate sole layer (16) of a resilient cushioning material. A bead (46) is disposed about the perimeter of the shoe in the heel spring section to enhance the heel stability.

Abstract: A general purpose athletic shoe is described in which an outer sole is provided with integrally molded cleats of two different types. The cleats of the first type are disposed around the periphery of the sole and the cleats of the second type are primarily disposed in the remaining portions of the sole. The second cleats are generally conical in shape and extend outwardly from the sole to about half the height of the first cleats. Each of the first cleats has three surfaces extending outward from a major exterior surface of the outer sole to a flat crown which is parallel to the major exterior surface. Two of the three outwardly extending surfaces of each of the first cleats take the form of essentially flat surfaces oriented generally perpendicular to the major exterior surface and the remaining outwardly extending surface is a partial conical surface which tapers so that first cleats are widest at their junction with the outer sole and narrowest at the crown.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing shoe durability by simulating the leg movements of a runner using a flexible artificial foot to repetitively drive the sole of a test shoe against an abrasive wear surface. The artificial foot is controlled by cam-operated plungers which reciprocate in synchronization causing the artificial foot to repetitively move through a leg cycle in which the heel is first driven against the wear surface followed by the ball and then the toe with empirically predetermined forces such that a normal wear pattern is produced. The wear surface is supported on a carriage which is longitudinally movable relative to the artificial foot in response to the forces of contact of the test shoe against the wear surface, the carriage including an adjustable spring for selecting a desired resistance to carriage movement. A mechanism is provided for tilting the wear surface to simulate running on an uneven surface.

Abstract: A running or jogging shoe having an improved outer sole equipped with replaceable synthetic insert elements having a uniquely contoured shape adapted to be threadedly secured in overlapping relationship to raised projections on the sole exterior. In a first embodiment, the insert elements are adapted to receive and retain conventional spikes. In a second embodiment, the insert elements include integrally formed gripping projections. By replacing worn insert elements, the useful life of the outer sole, and thus the shoe as well, can be extended significantly.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described having an external heel counter member made of a resilient material, such as rubber or other elastomer for greater stability and comfort. The external heel counter is bonded to the outer surface of both sides of the heel portion of the shoe upper and extends around the heel. A multi-layered shoe sole is provided including a heel wedge layer or other raised heel portion for raising the heel of the foot above the bottom surface of the toes. The shoe sole also employs a midsole layer which extends the entire length of the shoe. In one embodiment the bottom edge of the external heel counter member surrounds the rear portion of the midsole layer and is bonded to the top of the heel wedge layer. In another embodiment the bottom edge of the heel counter member is turned under the heel and is bonded between the shoe upper and the midsole layer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described including a shoe upper having a toe section and a main body section joined together and to a sole portion. Preferably the toe section extends forwardly of the metatarsophalangeal joints and is of a stretchable material to permit flexing of toes within the shoe, while the main body portion is of a nonstretchable material to restrict pronation of the rest of the foot. When the shoe is laced, first and second external reinforcing strips on the medial side of the upper, respectively exert pressure on the forward and rearward sides of the ball of the foot to restrict its motion. A third such strip on the other side of such upper limits the motion of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint and urges the ball of the foot between the first and second strips. The first and third strips also join the toe and main body sections together without these sections overlapping.

Abstract: A track shoe is described having a shoe upper and sole made on a straight last, whose last axis bisects the heel and passes through the second metatarsal head of the wearer's foot. The spike plate portion of the sole has a rear pair of spike fasteners which place the two rearmost spikes behind the heads of the overlying first and fifth metatarsal bones. The spike fasteners of such rear pair are centered along a straight line which intersects the last axis at an obtuse angle in the range of about 102.degree. to 115.degree. which is substantially the same as the angle of intersection between such axis and a line between the first and fifth metatarsal heads. A third spike fastener is located behind the head of the third metatarsal bone ahead of the line adjoining the rear pair of spike fasteners. The track shoe is provided with a shoe upper of open mesh nylon fabric.

Abstract: Athletic shoes with molded cleats of resilient material for use on artificial turf or other hard surfaces are disclosed including first cleats provided on the bottom of the shoe sole positioned beneath the foot of the wearer and second cleats provided on both sides of the shoe. The second cleats are molded integral with a cover strip of resilient material bonded to the outer surface of the shoe upper at its lower edge so as to extend around the toe portion, along the opposite sides and around the heel portion of the shoe upper. Such second cleats provide added traction and enable more rapid changes in running direction, such as when playing football, baseball or soccer, especially under wet conditions. The cover strip may be a separate strip from the outer sole or may be a border portion formed integral with such outer sole layer of less thickness than such outer sole layer. The second cleats are preferably of smaller size and may be of different shape from the first cleats.

Abstract: An athletic shoe of reduced weight is described employing low density, closed cell, synthetic plastic foam for an intermediate sole layer and/or heel lift sole layer between a harder outer sole layer and the shoe upper. The foam is a polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate foam having a density not substantially less than 5 pounds per cubic foot, preferably at least 7 pounds per cubic foot. A lateral extending heel stabilizer plate of solid plastic material or a heel lift layer having a relatively hard outer border portion may be added to improve lateral stability.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described with an outer sole having a laterally elongated matetarsal cleat of resilient material molded integral with such outer sole. The metatarsal cleat extends laterally across the entire width of the toe portion of the sole in a position immediately behind the heads of the metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot. In one embodiment the metatarsal cleat is in the form of a curved chevron including two wing shaped side portions each having curved front and rear surfaces to provide good longitudinal traction and self-cleaning action under wet condition. In additon, the chevron cleat is provided with two end portions and an intermediate porton having straight edges extending longitudinally to provide greater lateral traction. A plurality of other cleats of different shape and smaller ground engaging surface area than the metatarsal cleat are also molded integral with the outer sole.

Abstract: A cleated outer sole for an athletic shoe is described which includes two pairs of heel and toe cleats of large ground engaging surface area to provide a long wearing sole. These pairs of large cleats are surrounded by smaller gripping cleats of substantially the same height as such larger cleats and all cleats are molded of resilient material integral with the outer sole. The gripping cleats are in the shape of straight sided polygons such as a square or hexagon to provide superior traction and cushioning. The larger cleats are of a different shape and may be triangular, rectangular or other shapes. The pair of heel cleats is provided on opposite sides of the heel portion of the outer sole, while the pair of toe cleats may be provided on opposite sides of the front portion of such sole beneath the heads of the metatarsal bones of the foot. The heel cleat positioned on the inside edge of the shoe functions primarily to provide greater lateral stability to the shoe.

Abstract: A straight last athletic training shoe is described employing a foam core sole layer and an apertured sole layer between a harder outer sole layer and the shoe upper. The apertured sole layer provides lightweight cushioning and is preferably a heel lift layer positioned below an intermediate sole layer having a soft resilient foam core surrounded by a border portion of harder resilient material for stability. The foam core is provided within an elongated opening extending longitudingly beneath the heel, arch and metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot for greater cushioning and support. The apertures in the heel lift layer are arranged in three longitudinal rows with at least some apertures being in alignment with the foam core of the intermediate sole layer and the middle row having apertures which are staggered out of alignment with the apertures of the outer two rows.